Police fail to justify charges under Explosives Act against Barapind

Even 36 hours after conducting thorough search of the house of Kulbir Singh Barapind - arrested on charges of waging war against state on Friday, the district police failed to substantiate its charges under the Explosives Act against him as no explosive material has been found in his house.

"Yes, we could not find any explosive material from his residence," superintendent of police (SP) (detective) Rajinder Singh confirmed. He added thatcharges under the Explosives Act would be withdrawn against the SAD leader.

Asked why the police did not take along sniffer dogs to search the house of the SAD leader, though the police had received "reliable" information, the SP failed to give an answer.

Repeated attempts for the list of 'seditious literature', which the police claimed to have recovered during the search of Barapind's house on the basis of which sedition charges were slapped against him, the SP, who was overall incharge of the search operation, could not provide the same. "I am yet to get the list from the raiding party," he said.

On Friday evening, the SP had claimed that on the basis of credible information, it was found that Barapind was planning to indulge in militant activity and charges of waging war against the state, conspiracy to wage war against the state, criminal conspiracy, and sections of Explosives Act, Arms Act and Unlawful Activity Act were slapped against the SAD leader. (Read more on HT)